To me, this is one of the highest points of this experiment so far, and I’m reminded of what this tiny house really is: it’s less a tangible, static place to “live a dream,” and more a fluid yet controlled space to take risks. Continue reading Powered by the Sun

I could go on with this list of firsts, and in 2016, I expect it to grow longer. While I’ve learned a lot this year simply by doing (and making mistakes), I sense this is just the beginning, and as long as we live in this tiny house, anything can happen. Continue reading Year of Firsts

We have very rough sketches of grand plans in our heads: ideal scenarios, bigger chess pieces in play, long-term goals. It’s up to us to create that path, which is daunting, but I’m incredibly grateful to have that choice.

If you think you want to build and live in a tiny house on wheels, one good exercise is to ask yourself these questions: What is my ultimate goal? What do you hope to achieve by building and living in one? Can you reach this goal without a tiny house on wheels? Continue reading The Space Between Home and Elsewhere

In this 131-square-foot house (that we’re close to paying off, yay!), you’d think there would be less to worry about. We want to live simply and sustainably, we want to free up more time and money to do the things we truly enjoy… I recall the idealistic vision on our About page when we first created this site, which I’ve since changed because, well, it was silly.

Our tiny home on wheels is nearly done! Here’s a preliminary house tour of Little Leavenworth, from the kitchen to sitting lounge to bathroom. There’s just a few more things left on the construction to do list. Continue reading Almost Finished!

Construction on our tiny house has finally begun! Here are a few images of the exterior, courtesy of our builder, Molecule Tiny Homes. They’ve installed our white Marvin Integrity windows, laid the siding and window trim, installed the door, built the porch railing, constructed the utility box, and started to wire the interior. Continue reading Sneak Peek at the Exterior

And so while I laugh at the thought of a tiny house shower, I also think about the items we need for this journey. Solar panels and batteries. A composting toilet. Windows and a door. A wood stove. A water heater. Lots and lots of wood.

But as I think about the types of houses I’ve lived in, what I enjoy, and what I miss, I understand why I’ve grown attracted to and have fallen for the Elm: it’s symmetrical and traditional, which speaks to the part of me that craves a sense of order and ownership; and also has a porch — a shared space that links the public and the private. Continue reading A Future With a Front Porch